Atlanta vocalist Monica debuted in 1995 with the platinum, Top Ten singles "Don't Take It Personal (just one of dem days)" and "Before You Walk Out of My Life." After appearing on LL Cool J's Mr. Smith later that year, she recorded another killer duet with Brandy on "The Boy Is Mine," which spent several weeks at the top of the singles charts during summer 1998. Her second album, also titled The Boy Is Mine, was released in July 1998.